Film processing machine



Jan. 18, 1949. G. M. DYE ETAL I FILM PROCESSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1943 Jan. 18, 1949. G. M. DYE ETAL 2,459,509

F'ILM PROCESSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1943 I 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inve n'to rs GLEN M. DYEfimPuB. NADnoc K ROBERT smnzsomzwmn H-SAVELR Jan. 18, 1949. G. M. DYE ETAL' -FILM PROCESSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 25; 1945 K o L n o vnmwm lt h wfim RR /a Jan. 18, 1949. M, DYE r 2,459,509

FILM ROCES SING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 fill" ll l Ill Ill III II II! "Hill I" III 3%; Inveurons L G'LEH PLDYE RALPH 3. Maureen. ROBERT smznasan Br 222??? a 1 G. M. DYE ETAL FILM PROCESSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1943 Inventors GLEN MJJYE Jan. 18, 1949. a. DYE EI'AL 2,459,509

" FILM PROCESSING MACHINE Filed March 25. -.i,9,4 3 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 2A6 Jan. 18, 1949. G. M. DYE ET AL FILM PROCESS ING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 25, 1943 ventors GLEN MTDYE'.

ROBERT SARDESON n m NEY RALPH B. MA Doc K Patented Jan. 18, 1949 Glen M; Dye; Ralph B. Maddock, Robert Sardeson, and Edward H. Savela, Minneapolis, Miim., assignors to. Pako Corporation, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Delaware Application March 25, .1943; .Serial No. 480,488

27 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for handling photographic films and to one in which exposed films carried on suitable holders may be placed and which machinewill automatically progress said holders to-move saidz'films through aplurality of containersof film-treating solu tlons, correctly position said holders and agitate said films while inisaid containers.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such'a machine as set forth in the preceding paragraph in which the time. that. the filmis treated in one or more. oi said solutions may. be varied.

It issa further object of theinvention to provide a machine for treating ifilmsihaving. almagazine in. which the films and holders are'placedcomprising aloadlng device for. suitably positioning the. holders and filmsin: saidmagazine.

Itis another" object of the invention to provide a machine for treating films having anumber of liquid containers; a movable. means: having a normal rate of movement for periodically lifting a film from. acontainer anditransferring the same from said container to-an adjacentcontalner together withmeans for decreasing the speed ofsaid firstmentionedmeans asit is lifting afilm from a container;

Another object of this invention is-to provide a pair of liquid containers, means for lifting a film from one container advancing it and lowering'it into the other container with means decelerating the movement of said means as the film is lifted and accelerating said movement as said film is lowered.-

It is also an object ofthis invention to provide a machine for treating films having a container for a film treating liquid through which the film and its holderare' advanced step by step and means for positioning a holderand film thereon at. different locations inv said container/to .vary the time his treated insaid container and liquid.

Itisa: further object of the inventionto pro.- videa machine. for treating ifilms having a. container'ior film'treating liquid, .aQpick-up position, means travelling'in definite cycles for picking up a film-carrying holderand rplacingit in said container and means for. variably delivering said holder and filmxto'rsaid pick-up? position so that it willbe picked-up by said'wmeans in a certain cycle It alsoranz object of thisinvention tonprovide a=machine for'treating films" having a container 2] for. a. film treating liquid, a film-carrying holder adapted. to supportia film in said liquid, means for advancing said'holder progressively having spaced holder receiving positions and constructed and arranged to advance only one holder if more than one holder is disposed in one position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine. for treating films having a series of aligned containers for film-treating solutions, members at the sides of said containers having a plurality of transversely aligned film receiving means into which a film holder is intermittently and successively advancedland means for lifting and advancing said holder and film from one container to another so. constructed and arranged that a holder positioned innon-aligned means will not be lifted and advanced.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a machine for treating films having a number of receptacles containing film treating solutions, a pair of toothed rails extending along each side of said containers and means for relatively moving said rails rectilinearly vertically to advance a holder supported upon and extending between the same.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a machine for treating films havinga number of aligned containers for film treating liquids, pairs of toothed rails extending along eachside of said containers, means for relatively and vertically moving the rails of one pair to advance a film-carrying holder supported thereon and extending therebetween and means for also moving said rails to agitate the films.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a machine for treating films having a container for a film treating liquid, a film-carrying holder adapted to support the film in said liquid, means holder receiving positions and means for bringing a holder into transversely aligned holder-receiving positions should it for any reason become disposed in non-aligned positions.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine for treating films comprising a plurality of containers for film-treating liquids, film-carrying holders for supporting films in said.

liquids, a magazine for receiving a plurality or said holders and means for progressively lifting and advancing the holders in said magazine to be transferred to said containers. r

It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine for treating films having a number of containers for' film-treating liquids, holders for supporting the films, a magazine for holding a plurality of said holders, means for lifting and progressively advancing the holders in said magazine and means for transferring holders from said magazine to said containers, said latter means being synchronized with said first mentioned means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a film-treating machine having arms traveling upwardly and downwardly for lifting and transfering films, said arms being freely movable upwardly and independently of their lifting and transferring movement whereby should an operator be under one or more of said arms as they descend no damage would be done and said operator would not be injured.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of the machine in front eleva- I tion;

' Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view in elevation of the operating handle for adjusting a timing mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a view of the machine in front elevation with parts broken away to show the films during their process of development;

Fig. 1 is a partial View in transverse section of the tank supporting base and its drain trough;

Fig. 5 is a View in Vertical section taken substantially on line 5--5 of Fig. 12 as indicated by the arrow, showing how the counterweights are mounted and how the film carrier is carried preparatory to being moved from one tank to another, and also showing in dotted lines the film carrier supported in the developing tank;

Fig. 6 is a View in vertical section taken substantially on line 6t of Fig. 1 as indicated by the arrow, thru the center of the machine showing the mounting of the cams between the supporting plates in combination with the driving means which operate the film agitating mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a partial View in vertical section taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 6, some parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 8 is a view in vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a view in vertical section taken on line 9-Q of Fig. 7 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a view in vertical section taken on line Stlfi of Fig. 11 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a view in vertical section taken on line I l-i i of Fig. 10 as indicated by thearrows;

Fig. 12 is a view partly in plan and partly in horizontal section of that part of the machine which contains the driving mechanism as seen in Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the driving mechanism as shown in the central portion of Fig. 1, some parts being shown in horizontal section;

Fig. 14 is a front view of the cams showing their relative positions-during the operating cycle of themachine;

Fig. 15 is a partial View on an enlarged scale in vertical section taken substantially on line 15-4 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevatio n showing the progressing and agitating members in full and dotted lines and also showing a film holder being lifted out from its final position in the holder magazine;

Fig. l7 is a view similar to Fig. 16 showing the film from Fig. 16 being moved to the progressing and agitating membersand developing tank;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view on line l8|8 of Fig. 17; i

Fig. 19 is a sectional view in side elevation partly in vertical section of the film holder magazine;

Fig. 20 is a View similar to Fig. 19 showing the parts in different positions;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the film holder magazine; i r

Fig. 22 is a sectional View on line 22-22 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 23 is a detail view of an adjust-able film positioning device; i

Fig. 24 is a partial viewin side elevation of a part of the magazine used; and

Fig. 25 is a partialview in central longitudinal section showing a modification.

Referring to the drawings, a machine for treating photographic films is disclosed. The films to be handled in the machine will be carried on suitable film holders and while various types of holders couldbe used, in the embodiment of the in- Vention, illustrated aholder is shown such as disposed andclaimed in the application. of Robert Sardeson. and Edward I IJElavela, filed July 22, 1942, S. N. 451,940, now Patent No. 2,410,131, issued October 26, 1946. This holder 21 comprises a rod 26 having vertical side portions and a bottom portion 26b extending atdright angles thereto. The rod 28 connects With:'another.rod 2112 at the top of side portionszfia and rod 21b extends laterally some distance beyond sidejmembers 26a then extends vertically and has laterally extending terminal portions .2'ia. Upper and lower members 28 have end portions 28a embracing rods 26a. Upper holder 28 is secured in fixed positionwhile lower holder 28 is slidable \on the side portions of rod 26. The members 28 have pivoted thereto small swinging links 29. Thesehave projecting pins 29a upon which the film is impaled; The

' weight of lowermember 28 places'tension on the film F and this tendsto swing links 29 outward and? this outward component places lateral tension on the film so that the same is held nicely in one plane. The said machine is supported upon suitable members such as the longitudinally extending channelsiiil shown'in Figs. 1 and 5. A base plate 3|.extends between and is supported onchannelstfl, the same being formed atits front side witha channel 31a comprising a trough. The machine also hasframe members such as the end plates 32 and 33, the rear plate 34 (see. Figs. 6, 12 and 13) andother portions acting as. a frame and supporting means-as will later appear. rRear plate 34 extends fromthe. bottom to the top: of the machine and. its form. in. horizontal cross section is shown in Fig. 12. It will be seen that it has a forward central portion of considerable width and then extends rearwardly a short distance. Portions 34a secured thereto extend laterally, then rearwardly. quite a distance and. have laterally extending terminal portions. 341). As shown in Fig. 4, the machine is open at the forward part of plate 3! and said plate supports a number of tanks or liquid containers 35, 36 and 4| arranged endto end as shown in. Fig. 3. Container 35 has a vertical partition 35a therein substantially midway of its ends exending to adja cent its bottom and having one or more apertures 35b adjacent its top. Tank 36has disposed therein a plurality of smaller tanks or liquid containers 31,38, 39 and 4D. Tanks 35 and 35 are shown as connected adjacent theirt'opsby a small'conduit 36a. The containers mentioned, particularly containers 31, 38; 39, 40, 4| and 35 are adapted to hold the various solutions through which the film is passed to be treated such asthe developingsolution, the short stop solution, the fixing solution, the washing liquid and a wetting solution. Tank 36 will preferably contain a temperature-regulating liquid such as cool water. This tank is shown as having an overflow aperture 361) through which the liquid may pass as it is circulated. Extending along the front side of said tanks which are longitudinally aligned, is a pair of bars or rails 42 and 44 having teeth projecting from their upper edges and while these teeth might be variously formed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated they are shown as having respectively substantially vertical sides and inclined sides or tops sloping downwardly toward the rear or discharge end of the machine. Also extending along the rear side of said tanks or containers are similar bars 43 and 45 also having similar teeth at their top edges. The teeth in the bars 42 and 43 are in alignment transversely of the machine while the teeth of the bars 44 and 45 are in alignment transversely of the machine. It will be noted however, that the teeth on the bars of the respective pairs are offset longitudinally as clearly shown in Figs. 16 and 17 as well as in Fig. 3. Bars 44 and 45 are connected at the rear end of the machine by a plate 44a and at the front of the machine by a plate 45a. Bars and 45 have inwardly extending ribs 450 formed thereon. The bars 42 and 43 are arranged for vertical reciprocation and for this purpose they are connected at their ends to transversely extending plates 46 which project toward the rear side of the machine and have secured thereto small brackets 4'! projecting through end plates 32 and 33 beneath which are disposed rollers 48 carried in the ends of levers 58. Levers 50 are fulcrumed intermediate their ends on the pivot members carried in small brackets 52 secured to the forwardly and rearwardly extending portions 34a. The plates 46 have vertical portions at their rear sides and have secured thereagainst bars 53. The opposite vertical edges of bars 53 are disposedrespectively in peripheral grooves of roller members 55 carried on studs 51 secured in the end plates 32 and 33. Said plates 46 also have front edges as shown in Fig. 15 and have short bars 54 secured thereagainst, the front edges of which are disposed in the central peripheral grooves of similar rollers 56 mounted on studs also secured in the end plates 32 and 33 respec tively; Plates 46 are thus guided for vertical reciprocation. The levers 50 extend in reverse 4 and 62a.

directions and the inner ends thereof, which are the. ends opposite those carryingrollers: 48, are pivoted. respectively to links 615 and 62 which are connected at their upper ends by a stud. 63 to. a member 64' which extends laterally and is pivoted at its outer end. ona headed and nutted bolt 65: extending between and through spaced vertical plates 66 and 61 and through plate 34 being secured by nuts 61a. Links 61: and 82 are ads justable longitudinally and for this purpose have portions threaded into the upper end portionsfi'la Said rods are held in adjusted position by jambnuts 62c and He. Member'fi l hasa cam roller 68 journalled on a stud 69 secured therein, which roller is engaged by a cam 10. carried on. a cam shaft H. Cam shaft H is journaled' in [bearings in plates 68' and 61. Cam Tllis provided. with quite a number of circumferentially spaced. high points "Illa and at one part ofits periphery isprovided with a depression 10b of small radius. Cam shaft H is provided with a sprocket l 3 overwhich runs a chain 14 also running over a small sprocket 15 secured to a shaft 13 (see Fig. 1) carried in a bracket 12 (see Fig. 6), secured to rear plate 34-. Shaft 15 also has secured thereto a larger sprocket 1! over which runs a chain 18 also running over a small sprocket I9 secured to a shaft of a reduction gear mechanism 8 I, mounted on a bracket 88 secured to rear plate 34. Said reduction. gear also has a primary shaft 82 to which is secured a pulley 83 over which runs a belt 84 also running over a pulley 85 secured to the armature shaft 86 of the driving motor 8?. Motor 8 1 is adjustably secured to the rear plate 34 by suitable means (not shown).

From the described structure it will be seen that as cam 10 is rotated that links BI and 62 will be depressed, thus depressing the adjacent or inner ends of levers 5D. This will raise the outer ends of said levers so that rollers 48 lift brackets 41' and plates 46. The bars or rails 42 and 43 descend by gravity when permitted by cam 10 and said bars will thus be reciprocated. After a certain number of short reciprocations caused by the high cam points or surfaces 18a the plates 42 and 43 will be allowed to descend a greater dis-- t-ance as cam roller 68 moves into depression 'l'flb. This latter action and its function will be later described.

The film holders extend between the pair of bars 42 and 44 and the pair of bars 43 and Hand the horizontal portions 21a of the holders rest between the teeth of said bars. The film held on the holder can thus depend into the liquids in the containers. The reciprocation of theyrails 42 and 43 acts to advance the holder step by step along the teeth of said bars as will be later de scribed. It will be noted that the distance the teeth on bars 42-43 and 44-45 are'off-set is only slightly greater than the diameter of the portions 21a of the holders and less than one and onehalf times said diameter.

The-machine also has means for lifting a holder with its film to remove the film from one container, advance the holder andfilm and lower the film into the next container, as well as to lift and place films in the first container. For this purpose a rail Sil is provided and while this might take various forms, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as formed of a piece of sheet metal bent into channel form and having another piece of sheet metal 98a secured to its front portion. Rail is thus of box form in transverse section. This rail extends substantially the entire length of the base member 31 which supports the various. liquid receptacles. Said rail has secured to its rear portion adjacent the ends thereof rearwardly facing channel members 9|. These membershave secured therein headed studs 92 extending between the sides thereof on which are journaled grooved guide rollers 03. Rollers 93 are held in positionby collars 94 secured to said studs by the screws 95 which also hold in place small clips 06 each having a lip 96a bent to be disposed in an annular groove 93a formed in the hub of roller 93. (See Fig. 12.) The roller 33 also has a larger peripheral groove in the opposite sides of which are dis posed respectively the central webs of T-shaped guide standards 91 and 98. Guide standards 91 and 98 extend from the bottom of rear plate 34 to the top thereof at the rear side of the machine, and a top plate illustrated as of channel form extends over the front member 08 and the rear side of the rear plate 34. Bottom plate 3! has a vertical flange 3 I 12 connected to the front sides of guide members 98. The guide members 91 and 08 are connected at their bottoms by a plate I00 and adjacent their tops are connected by a bar IOI. (See Fig. 5.) As shown in Fig. 5, there are two of the studs 32 with the parts thereon in the channel member 9i, the same being disposed adjacent the top and bottom of said channel member. Secured to a stud I04 which is carried in each bar IOI at each end of the machine is a sprocket or sheave I05. (See Fig. 5.) This sheave is held in place on stud I04 by a pin I03 and said stud I04 extends through guide standard 31 and has secured on one end a collar I01. Said stud is thus securely held in place. A member I03 shown as a rivet extends through one end ofbar IOI through the guide standard 98 and has secured on one end a collar I00. Bar IOI is thus firmly secured to the guide standards 91 and 93. Running over each of the sheaves I05 is a flexible member such as a chain or belt I I0, one end of which is secured to the collar 34 on the upper stud 02 and the other end of which is secured to a counterweight I I2 which is guided in a housing I I3 shown as formed of sheet metal, the same being of channel shape rectangular in horizontal cross section and having flanges II3a. secured to the rear plate 34. Counterweights .I I2 are illustrated as being rectangular in vertical and horizontal cross section and have grooves in opposite corners in which are disposed vertical guide strips I I4 secured to the inner side of housing I13. The rail 90 and parts carried thereby are therefore counterbalanced by the counterweights I I2. The rail 90 is moved through a vertically elongated oblong path and for this purpose a pair of flexible members such as the chains I I6 and III are provided. Chain II6 runs over spaced sprockets IIS mounted on studs II9 carried in spaced brackets I2I secured to rear plate 34 and extending therethrough and through a reinforcing angle I secured to said plate. Brackets I2I are secured in any suitable manner as by rivets II5. Chain III runs over sprockets II2 identical with sprockets III which are also supported upon studs I23 carried in brackets I secured to rear plate 34 and extending therethrough as well as through a reinforcing angle I24 secured thereto. Brackets I25 are secured in any suitable manner as by rivets I26. Rail 90 has a block I21 secured therein in which is journaled a pin I28 extending through and secured in a thimble I23 secured to one of the links of chain H6. The rail 90 also has secured therein a link I30 which is mounted for oscillating. movement on a pin I3I secured in the front and-rear sides of rail 90; A stud I32 is journaledinblock I30 and has a reduced portion extending. through a thimble I33 similar to thimble I21 which like thimble I21 is disposed between the sides of a link of chain I I1. Pin I32 is secured in said link of chain I I1. With the described construction it will be seen that rail 90 will be carried along with'the chains H6 and II? and be moved by the links to which it is secured. (See Figs. 7, 8 and 9.) The connection of chain II1 to the rail 90 is provided to give some freedom of movement asblock I30 oscillates about its pin I3I. This movement is provided to prevent any binding in the move,- ment of the rail 00. Rail 90 is provided with an opening 301) to accommodate movement of link I30. As shown in Fig. 3, the chains II6 and l I1 move in much elongated paths. The sprockets H8 and I22 are driven through shafts H9 and I23 respectively by the chain 18 which runs over: sprockets I40 and MI secured respectively to said shafts H9 and I23 at the rear side of plate 34. (See Figs. 1 and 12.) Chain 18 also runs over a small sprocket I43 and another small sprocket I44 spaced therefrom, said small sprockets being journaled on studs I45 and I46 secured in a slide I41. Slide I 41 is movable horizontally on a guide bar I48 secured to a bracket I49, which is in turn secured to rear plate 34 Chain 18 after passing: around sprocket I44 as already described, runs over the drive sprocket 19, then over large sprockr et 11 and then passes over small sprocket I43. A. lever I50 extends to slide I41 and has pivoted to its upper end a link I5! which is in turn pivoted on a stud I52 carried in the slide I41. Lever I50 at its lower end is journaled on a pivot bolt I53 which extends between and through plates 66 and 61 as well as rear plate 34 and is secured by nuts I59. Sleeves I53a and I531) surround bolt I53 at each side of lever I50. Said lever between its ends carries a cam roller I54 on a stud I55 secured in said lever. Cam roller I54 is engaged and acted upon by a cam I53 also mounted on cam shaft 1I. Cam I58 has a recess I58a in one side of small radius while the opposite half of said cam is substantially circular. It will be seen that with each revolution of cam I58 roller I54 will move into the recess or low point I58a on the cam permitting lever I50 to move to the left and thus move slide I41 to the left. The movement of slide I41 as will be more fully later described, varies the speed of chain 18 in its movement over the sprockets I40 and MI.

The rail 00 has spaced pairs of brackets I60 secured to its top portion, said pairs being spaced along said rail, said spacing being determined by the sides of the containers 31, 38, 33, 40, M and 35 and partition 35a. Forwardly extending arms I6I are pivoted between each pair of brackets I60 on small pivot studs I62. As shown in Fig. 6 arms IGI are of inverted channel shape and the rear sides of said arms project to form cars which are swingingly mounted on the pivot members I62 carried in the brackets I60. It will also be seenthat said arms can be freely swung upwardly about pivots I62. The arms I6I extend quite a distance forward and each has a depending arm I63, the lower end of which is bent inwardly and upwardly to form a projection I63a. Said projection I63a is provided with a central recess I63b of general V-shape in form. (See Fig. 16.) Arms I64 are also secured to the rear portion of rail 90, the same being in central vertical alignment with the arms IBI. Said arms I64 are held in place by headed screws I65 extendingthrough a lower screw I65 so that saidarms may be freely pushed upwardlyfor quite a distance. Arms I94 have their lower ends bent upwardly and for wardly to form an upwardly extending projection I64a which is provided with a central recess I641) similar to the recess I63?) and arm I63. Recesses I631) and I64b are in align-- ment transversely of the machine. The arms I63 and I64 move with rail 90 in its vertically elongated path and are constructed and arranged to lift the film holders as they reach certain positions on bars 42 and 45 and in the magazine to be later described. A guide plate and shield I68 extends between the pairs of rails 44 and 45 having substantially vertical sides extending into and in close proximity to the adjacent ends of receptacles 35 and 40. The top of member I69 is of angular formation as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Members I69 similar to member I69 have their sides extending into the adjacent ends of tanks 31-38, 3839, 3940; over partition 35b and between tanks 35 and 4|. Members I68 and I69 are secured at their end portions to bars 44 and 45. A member llll similarto members I99 and I69 is also disposed at the forward end of the machine and has one sideextending into the end of receptacle 31 with its other side extending over end plate 32. The top sides of member 10 extend at substantially equal angles to the horizontal and said member is disposed at somewhat greater height than members I63 and I69, the

tops of all of saidlatter members being substantially in one horizontal plane.

A plate I12 has portions I12a disposed at the front ends of bars 42 and 43. the said portions having a short top front horizontal surface and a much longerdownwardly inclined surface I12b the latter having a length equal to the length of several of the teethon said bars.

Plate I12 is movable vertically and for this purpose it has formed therein guide slots I120 through which extend headed members I19 which are secured to end plate 32. Plate I12 has a vertical front edge I12d which is disposed in and guided in a grooved studI82 secured in end plate 32. In the lowest position of member I12 the surfaces I12b align with the inclined surfaces of the end teeth on bars 42 and 43 as shown in Fig. 16. When plate I12 is raised surfaces i127) can be broughtrespectively into alignment with the inclined surfaces of the teeth next to the last tooth on bars 42 and 43 and with the teeth immediately adjacent thereto. For raising plate I12 it has connected thereto bya bolt I14 one arm of abell crank lever I15pivotedon a stud I16 supported in member 53. A compression coiled spring I18 surrounds stud I16anda washer I19 engages the topof said spring, bein heldin place bya suitable pin or other means passing through stud I16. Lever I15 has an arm I15aequipped with a knob handle I15b at its upper end and said arm I15a passes through a slot I 8911 in a plate I80. secured to the upper end of plate 53 At the rear side of slot I8Ila are spaced projections I891) form-- ing recesses in which the lever arm I15a may be disposed; By moving said arm forward against the-tension of spring I18 said lever I15 can be moved into any one of three positionsand it will be held therein by spring I18. (See Figs. 1 and 21.) Plate I12 canthus be held in any one or" its three positions. I

In Fig. the machine is shown as having an 10 extension of the advancing or progressing rails so that the films may be carried past dryers or through a drying apparatus. In said figure a base channel 215 extends transversely of the machine beyond end plate 33, being spaced therefrom by a vertical channel member 216. A plate 211 (see Fig. 25) is secured to channel 215 and member 216 and will extend between extensions of inner rails 44 and 45. The extension of inner rail 45 is designated 45cm. This rail as above described, is stationary and the extension 4511a will be connected at one end to plate 211 and at its other end to an end frame or plate 218. Extensions of the movable rail 43 is indicated as 43aa and this will be connected to plate 46 to which rails 43 and 42. are connected. The rails 42, 43 and 44, 45 are thus continued beyond end plate 33 and the holders andfilm's willbe raised by the last arm I as shown in Fig. 3 and will be delivered to the rails beyond plate 211. This is indicated by the portion of holder H5 which is indicated by the arrow as being lowered onto the extensions of plates 42, 43 and 44, 45. The holders and films will thus be progressed on the said extensions in the operation of the machine. Drying members 280 aresupported upon bottom standards 29! and top standards 282 in a suitable frame and these are disposed at either side of said rails. While various kinds of drying devices could be used, in the embodiment of the invention illustrateda dryer such as disclosed and claimed in the application of Robert Sardeson, S. N. 408,111, filed August 23, 1941, now Patent No. 2,369,803, issued February 20, 1945, is shown. This device comprises upper and lower frame pieces 280:; which may be of glass extend between frame members 280a and carry the electrical heating elements 280d.' As the holders with the films thereon are progressed past the dryers 280 they will be properly dried and the holders can then be removed from the progressing rails at the ends thereof or they can be delivered to some suitable holder by the rails.

From the above description it will be seen that the rails 42, 43 and 44, 45 can thus be extended and the films dried while they are being progressed on the rails.

A magazine is provided for receiving and supporting quite a number of holders. This includes a pair of stationary plates I connected at their front ends by a transverse plate I9I. Plates I90 are connected to end plate 32 by small brackets I88 and I89.- The plates I90 have spaced teeth I900. at their upper edges formed substantially as are the teeth on the rails or bars 42 to 45. The plates I90 are in longitudinal alignment with the plates 44 and 45respectively. Disposed adjacent each plate I90 is another plate I92, which plates I92 are in longitudinal alignment with the bars or rails 42and 43 respectively. Plates I92 also have the teeth I92a at their upper ends similar to the teeth I90a. The upped ends of the teeth on plates I90 and I92 lie in an arc. The teeth on the pair of plates I90 are in trans. verse alignment and the teeth on the plates I92 are in transverse alignment. The teeth on bars 590 are however, some distance out of transverse alignment with the teeth on plates I92 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Said distance is slightly more than the transverse dimension of portion 22a of the holder and preferably less than one and onehalf times said dimension. The portions of plates I90 adjacent the machine have downwardly inclined rather long surfaces I90b. The adjacent portion of plates I92 have offset surfaces thus I'll formingnotches IBM and. I;92e. Surfaces I902) extendto'and merge in curved-form with avertical surface I900 at one side of :an upwardly-extending projection lillld'formed on the end of each plate fl=9ii adjacent the machine. The notches or recesses I991 formed:by surfaces I9Ub;an.d I900, receive the'film-carryingholder and this is What may-becalled the pick-up position for the :holders. .They are-picked upfrom this position by theiadjacent pairof arms I53 and IE4 and placed inthe first or adjacent tank 91. 'P1ates'l90have inwardly projecting ribs I902 thereon adjacent theirtops, said ribs being of-V-shape in crosssection. Small lugs I 927 project outwardly from each plate I92 below surfaces I901).

'The outer plates I92 are arranged for'vertical reciprocation and are provided with spacedi'guide slots I92b, the upper ends of'which have passing therethrough the grooved'studs I95 secured in the plates I99. .Thetportions of plates I92 at" the sides of slots I-92b aredisposed inthe groovesin said studs. YA shaftiISfi extends between plates I90 andis journaled in bearings I89a carried in brackets I89, said shaft having secured to one end thereofat the rear side of *themachinea bell crank lever. I99. One arm. of this lever carries a roller 23%) journaled on a stud "I secured in said arm. Roller 209 has a central peripheral groove and the adjacent plate I92 has a horizontal edge ISZc-disposed in said groove. An armi202 is. secured to the other end of shaft l ilfizand has carried thereon a roller .203 similar to roller 26!] and carried ona stud 'carried'in arm 292. Roller 2B3g-likevvise has. a central peripheralgroovezand theother plate. I92 has a horizontal edge I920 d sposed insaiol groove. The edges I920 are in hori zontal alignment. The other .arm 199a of bell crank lever I99 is: apertured and has extending therethrough one end portion of..a rod 205. Said end :portion is threadedrandihas thereon a nut 2-06 engaging the lowerside of arm I99a. Rod 205 extends to and is .pivotally; secured .to :a lever 20'! having a hub or sleeve pivoted on a, bolt 1208 secured to and extending-between; plates 96 .and 6'! and through rear plate134, saidebolt having nuts 208a on its ends. The'upper-end of-rod 205 .is threaded and has adjustably secured thereto a head portion 205a which is apertured to receive a stud 2M3 extending therethrough and through lever 201. A jamb nutJZII is disposed on rod205 and engages head portion 205a. A camro-lleri! I2 is carried on-lever 287, being journaled on a stud 2-I3 secured in said lever and on arm 281 of said lever. Cam rollerZIZ has a central peripheral grooveand is adapted'to .be disposed-in engagement with any one of three cams 2I'4formed on a cam body 2I4asecuredto cam'shaft ll in any suitable manner as by the set screw -2I5. The lever 297 has a block 2U'Iasecured thereon which carries a slide 2971) which has a rectangulargroove therein in'which is disposed aguide bar 2II extending between and'having its:ends extending through the plates 66 and 6?- and held, therein by nuts.2l8. .One of said ends iofbar ZI'I extends through rear plate :34 and one nut 2I8 engages said-plate. It will be seen-that plates fifi and 61 are connected and secured to plate 34 by the described members passing'therethrough. A cover bar 2070 is secured to slide 2-lllb so that saidguide bar..2 I'Iis enclosed. Slide'2Il'lb is provided on its top with a rackZIl'ld, which rack is engagedby a pinion ;2.I.9 carried on a shaft 229, which shaft is J'ournaled in small brackets22l secured to the rear of plate 65. Adjacent one bracketZZI shaft 220-has secured thereto in any suitable manner-as 12 by a pm 222 a 'memberj1223 havingcaniupwardly projecting arm 223a. :Awshaft 2-24;is disposed in axial alignment with shaft 220 and has-secured theretoin any suitable. mannerasi'by a pin adjacent member 223,;a member ,225. Memberl225 has a hub portion "225a journaled inta cylindrical recess formed inthe outer side of member 223- so that member 225 and shaft 224 are-supported by member "223 and thus-by bracket-22L Member 225 has a plate-like portion 225!) extending up wardly therefrom of considerable width. Plate portion 225?) has pivotally secured thereto :by studs229 a pair 'of-arms 230 disposed at'either side of portion 223a and havingears 23lla:projecting' therefrom so as to engage the sides of portion 2-2511. Arms-.230 also have small lugs 23% engaging the oppo-site-sides of-portion 223a. Arms 2351 also have lugs 23fib'which are connecte'dzby a coiled tensile spring 221. The shaft 224 extends to the end of the machine and has secured thereto-a crank handle 2 3I having projecting in wardly therefrom a pin 232 which'canbe disposed in any one of three holes-233,234 -and.235.

When crank arm 23I is-moved it turns shaft .224 and throughthe connection with shaft 220-.as will be later describecl, it places the latterunder tension so that pinion 2I9tends ,to move rack 291d thus tending to movelever 201 to bring cam roller 2i2 into alignment-andeengagement with any one of the cams 2| 4. whenzcamtroller H2 is engaged byone of-the'cams 2I4'1ever z-fllis moved, thus moving rod-.205 to swing bell crank lever l 99 and arm .202 to move. rollers inland-1203 upwardly. thus raising plates I92. This reciprocation of plates I92 acts to advance-a holder carried in the teeth at-the top of plates I-and I92 adistance of one tooth-toward the machine.

A leading device is provided "for placing the holders vin v position in the magazine .formed lby plates 199 and I92. The outerend portionstof plates I95) .have top surfaces I909 adjacent-the teeth IBM and a shallow recess-I 9Il7t.is-,formedat the outer end of each surface-g. The surfaces I90g extend upwardly and rearwardlyashort-distance and then substantially horizontally, the same having 'a small recess ISDiformed therein just adjacent the inclined surface of itsifirst tooth recess. The plates I92 have-surfaces--l 92k adjacent-surfaces I9Ilg and which-substantially align therewith at their forward portions. However, surfaces I92k continue. in anupwardly inclined position beyond the horizontal -portionsrof surfaces I909 and then have vertical surfaces I921m which connect with the downwardly. inclined surface of the first itooth--recess in plates J92. Surfaces l 92k and I BZmware-cOnnectedby-a curved portion forming a: rounded corner. 'Iheloading device includes apair-ofarms 24!] disposed --at either side ofthe outer; plates I92 and at some distance therefrom, said armsbeingsecured at their lower ends :to a shaft :-2-4I journaled in brackets 242 suitably :s-ecured.to the plates 4.92. The arms 240. are swingableasa unit'about the axis of shaft 24138111112 attheirtops are;connected by a rod 243. sSecuredto rod -.243 adjacent each end thereof and'adjacent plates I90,'and;swinging with rod 243 are arms1245. These arms have projecting therefrom toward the end of the-machine narrow portionsi-245a of'rarcuate form'and having curved top surfaces. The arms 24fl-have secured theretoattheir upper @ends plates .246

having :vertioal top portions disposed :at ,right angles to each other and formingangles facing inwardly. Plates 246 have lower .iportions 1246a adjacent -,1;he outer sides thereof which .slope downwardly and inwardly and have other lower portions 24Gb adjacent their end portions which slope downwardly and toward the machine. The arms 240 are also connected by a plate 241 having a main vertical portion, the top of which is bent substantially at a right angle to form a narrow top portion or flange. llate 241 with said narrow flange at its top, forms a handle or operating means which may be grasped by the operator for swinging the loading device. A tensile coiled spring 249 is secured to the lower side of one arm 245 and is secured at its other end to a stud 250 secured in one arm 240 some distance below the arm 245. Said arm 245 and thus shaft or rod 243, are placed under tension holding the arm in the position shown in Fig. 19. Arms 245 each have a downwardly extending projection 245?) at their forward sides.

Extending along the outer side of one of the plates I92 is a plate 255 which is supported by the stationary plates I90. Plate 255 has an arcuate lower edge provided with ratchet teeth 255a directed toward the outer side of plates I92. The adjacent lever 240 has pivoted thereto on a stud 256 a bell crank lever 251. Lever 251 has a top arm from which projects upwardly a pawl 251a. Lever 251 has connected thereto below stud 256 a tensile coiled spring 258 connected at its other end to lever 240. Spring 258 thus tends to swing lever 25'! to elevate pawl 251a. Said lever is held in normal position by an adjustable screw 2BI carrying a lock nut 282, which screw 26I is carried in a projection 2571; of lever 25?. When plates I92 are in their lower position pawl 251a cannot engage the ratchet teeth 255a but when plates I92 are raised said pawl is brought into engagement with said ratchet teeth and prevents movement of arms 240, as will be later described. A vertically extending narrow member 260 is provided in front of member I62 and acts as a guard. Atthe discharge end of the machine a member 263 is shown. There will be one of these members at each side of the machine and they will extend longitudinally substantially in alignment with bars 44 and 45. They can be parts of a dryer to which the films are delivered or parts of a storage device or a conveying mechanism. The machine will automatically deliver the holders and films to said members so that further handling can be had as desired.

The film which is exposed is placed on the holder as described, it being understood that the machine will be located in a dark room. The operator takes the holder and drops or places it between plates 246 at the front of the machine. The holder is guided by the surfaces 246a and 2461) so that it comes to the position shown in Fig. 21, the same having its portions 21a resting on the tops of surfaces I909 and I92k of plates I90 and I92. The ribs or projections I 90f are provided so that if a holder is introduced between plates I90 it will be roughly centered in position. Ifthe loading device is to be used the operator now takes hold of the plate 241 and swings the loading device toward the machine. This swings arms 240 and members 245 are moved with the arms. As arms 249 and members 245 are moved toward the machine the holder is engaged and moved alongthe surfaces I909 and I92Ic. The end portions of the holder thus ride up on the portion of surfaces I92]: above the horizontal portions of plates I909 and when they reach the end of surface I92k theydrop therefrom onto the top of the rearwardly extending arcuate portions 245a of members 245. They are carried over thetops 14' of the teeth IBM and I92a on these portions 245a. When the members 245 move far enough projection. 245?: engages the projection I921 andthis swings plates 245 about the axis of rod 249 and against the tension of spring 249. When plates 245 are so swung the portions 245a are moved and the holder moves off of these portions so that it is no longer supported on members 245 and it drops into the recess between the last two teeth on members I99. In Fig. 19 the members 245 are shown in dotted lines as moved to discharging position. The holder is thus discharged and is disposed against the vertical surface of the last tooth on plates I90. This is the position designated HI in Fig. 17. When the film carrying holder is thus discharged the operator swings the loading device back to initial position. Another holder can now be placed as before and the loading device again swung towardv the machine. Upon this operation the projection 2451) instead of engaging the projections I921 will engage the sides 21a of the holder previously placed in position and the holder in the loading device will then be discharged into the recess in front of the next to the last tooth or against the vertical surface of the next to the last tooth which is the position H2 as shown in Fig. 17. The loading operation can be continuedand the projection 2451; will engage the ends of the last holder put in position until the magazine is completely filled with holders as shown in Fig. 20. At this time the loading device cannot be moved as projection 245i) engages the holder in the outer end position and the holder in the loading device will merely be supported upon surfaces lellg and I92lc and cannot be moved far enough to move off of surfaces I92k. This is shown in Fig. 20. Even though plates 245 are in discharging position the holder is still on surfaces I92lc. When the loading device is swung rearwardly or toward the machine and the holder has been moved olf of surfaces I 92k, said device can be reversed and moved forwardly and the holder willagain ride up on surfaces I 92k.

As stated, the outer plates I92 are periodically and vertically reciprocated. It will be seen that when a holder is placed on the plates I that it will occupy the bottom ofythe recess between adjacent teeth. When the outer plates I92 are moved upwardly the ends'of the holder will be engaged by the inclined surface of the teeth l92a and the holder will be lifted from the recess between the teeth I90c. When so lifted the holder and the ends thereof slide down on the inclined surface of the teeth I920. so that it occupies the recess between said teeth. When plates I92 descend the ends of the holder now engage the upper end of the inclined surface on the teeth I90a and as plates I92 descend below the top of plates I90 the holder and the ends thereof slide down into the recess between teeth I900. The holder has thus been; moved forward one tooth and now occupies the recess between the teeth I900 adjacent to the one in which it last occupied and the next one toward the machine. At each reciprocation of plates I92 therefore, all holders in the magazine are moved forward the distance of one tooth. The holder occupying position Hi is lifted by the inclined surface on the last full tooth on plates I92 and slides down into the recess I92d. As plates I92 descend this holder engages surface I 99b and slides down thereon until'it meets-the recess I92e which has not yet passed below surface I901). The holder is retainedin recess I922 until plates I92 arefully descended to aaca soe the posit-ion'shown in dotted'linesin Fig. 1'? at which time; it 'wi-llbe-seen that recess I9'2e'has movedbelowisurface i901: and .the holder then slides down against surface E900 and into recess Hill which is the final position in the magazine and as. abovestate'd, this could bezcalled thepick upposition. The steps or. recesses I92dtand I926 are provided sothatthe holder will be gradually lowered into the pick-up position i90 If it werepcrmitted to; slide down all the way on the surfaces I-9Ilb: it would strike surface I900 with too much-force, and might'cause swinging of the holder and film. The holderandfilm are advanced cuite a distance to giveample room for removal.

The-ratchet member 255 issprovidedto prevent operation of the loading device and thus swinging of the'arms 24:0 while the outer plates I92 are moved :upwardly. When said plates are raised pawl 157a is brought into engagement with the ratchet teeth '255a and if the operator-attempts toswing the loading device forward this will be prevented by the .engagement of said pawl and ratchet bar 255. It-woulcl be objectionable to use the loading device While'the holders are being advanced in the magazine.

As-a-bove stated, the rail 90 moves through a vertically elongatedpath which is the path of chains-I Iii-and I IT. The arms I6l as well as the pick-up arms Hi3 and Ifikpartake of this movement. ,In each of said movements the members I63 and I54 adjacent 'themagazine 'movedownwardly and. into position beneath the ends 21a of the .holder in the pick-up position-and if'there is-a holder in said position it will :be'cngagedbetween'the surfaces I63?) and the similar surfaces onarms I64 and will be lifted as the rail'llfland said arms continue-in their upward movement. When the arms and rail move forwardly and descend in: the other sideof their path, said holder will be deposited on the top inclined surfaces I'IZb. Ifthis member. is inits lowest position as shown in Fig. 1 6, thenthe holder will be placed in the first recess between the teeth on the bars 42 and 43. If the member I12 is in intermediate position the, holder-will be guided into the second recess from the front ends of bars 42 .and '43. If member I12 is in its uppermost position the holder will be guided into the third recess from the front endof bars42 and 43. It will thus be seen that theinitialposition ofthe holder in the first tank can be varied. Since the holder is progressed step bystep the distance of one of the teeth itwill thus be seen that the time the film is in the firstcontainer or in the developing solution can be varied bythe movement of memberI'IZ. The member I'Hl acts as a guide to insure the film-will be properly directed into the tank 3'! as it is lowered after having been lifted from the pick-up position. Ribs 45a act as a centering means or guides forthe film holders.

As above described by the revolution of'cam shaft II cam'lO engages roller68 and this through the links BI and 62, and through the levers 50 reciprocates vertically therails 42 and. .As the severallhighpoints lflaengage roller 68 rails or bars 42 and 43 aregiven anumber of short reciprocatio-ns. The rails are given this short vertical reciprocation to agitate thefilm as it is car-- ried on the'holder and disposed in the various liquids orsoiutions. When cam roller 68 moves into the depression 'IIlbof cam 1-0 the bars 42 and 43 are given anextramovement and move downbelow the topsof bars .44 and 45. When bars and ,43 thusmove down theends 21a of 16 the. holder whichhave been supported in bars-42 and'43 engage the upper en'duof the inclined surfaces of a pair of aligned teeth on the bars-44 and 45x1and the holder slides down thesepsurfaces into the; recess between the teeth and'against the vertical-surface .of the next tooth in a rearward direction. When bars '42 and-43 again move upward the ends 2111 of the holder are engaged by the inclined surfaces on a pair of aligned teeth oneach. of said bars'and lifted above bars 64 and 45 so that the holder then slides'forwarcl a short distance on the teeth of bars 42 and 43 and against the vertical surfaces of the next teeth in a rearward direction on bars 42 and 43. The holder which has thus been advanced the distance of one tooth remains onthe bars 12 and ltwhile they are given quite a number of the previously mentioned short vertical reciprocations. The filmis thus again agitated. :In another revolution of cam shaft 10 bars 42 and 43 will again be lowered and the holders will again be moved forward the distance of one tooth. The holders are'thus progressed until they come into the positionwhich isthe position at the rear of each of the receptacles and'when they reach this position they will be lifted by apai-r of firearms-I63 and I64. As clearly shown in Fig. 3 it will be seen that there is-a pair of the arms I63 and I64 and one of the arms I IiI at the end of each of the containers. When therefore,'the holders reach the end position in each of the containers'they are lifted, advanced toward the rear of the machine and lowered into the next container. It will be noted that the distance the bars 42 and 44 arelongitudinallyolfsetis just slightly greater than the diameter of-end portions 21a of-the'film holder. This distance should not be greater than one and'one-half times said diameter. If for anyreason;two or more holders should get'into a recess between theteethonly one of these will be lifted and advanced. The points of the teeth on bars 42 and 43 will pass between theholders so that only one Willbe lifted'and thus moved. The machine thus acts to separate, distribute and properly advance a-plurality of 'holders'occupying one tooth recess. The shields I 69 are: provided-so that any liquid dripping from the films will be guided into the tanksan-d the holders and films properly guided as they descend. As shown inTFig. 3, the rear inclined top surfaces of members (I68 and 69 are flush-with the inclined surfaces on adjacent teeth. While the timing .of the various parts might be'varied'in one embodiment of the machine in actualpractice thetiming is. such that rails and hence chains Hi5 and I I1, pass through three cycles for one revolution of cam shaft 10. As the rail 90 moves upward in the c cle for lifting the holders and films to trans fer the filmsfrom onetank tothenext it is desirable to retard the movement of the rail so that additional time will be given for the liquid to drip from the films before they are advanced. *Itis for this'purpose that lever I50 and slide I41 are provided. In each revolution of cam shaft II the roller I 54 can move into .the depression I'58a of said cam. It will be noticed that approximately two-thirds of the. cam periphery is formed on one radius. As roller I54'begins-t0 move toward depression I58a lever I59 can move to the left as shown in Fig. '1. This permits slide I4! to move to theleftycarryingwith it sprockets I43 and I44. The travel of the chain is as indicated by the arrows, .so that pinion I9 is pulling the chain around sprocket .11 at the lower side thereof; Sprocket T1- is thus :pulling the chain over sprocket aezsasoo M 3, azandthemotion transmitted to chains H6 and l;l -1 is thusdetermined by the chain travelling over sprocket .MO. Asthe slide I41 ,moves to the left chain is ineffect fed toward sprocket M and the driving effect of the chain on this sprocket is. reduced. {Ifhisresults in slowing up the-movementsrof chains H6 and H1. The movement is sotimed that, the reduced speed takes place .on chains MS and vI I ,as they aremoving upwardly in t hecycle,.to elevate rail 90 and lift film from theitanks. This gives additional time for the solutionto drip from the film. It will also be noted that-as cam [58 continues to rotate there will be anraccelerationof thespeed of -chains I I6 and LI! over their normal speed. This iscaused by cam moving roller ;I54Iand;lever 15!! .awayfrom cam shaft 1 l,,moving slide ,l- 41 and. pullingchain away from sprocket I40 ,in addition to the pull of sprocket .11. This compensates for the .period in .whichchains H6 and A. were retarded and the .parts are .kept inthe, desired synchronism. The increased speed takes .place as the film is lowereclintothenext container. It is not desirable. tohave the ,wetfilm too long exposed to the atmosphere. ,If afilm is toolong exposed a dimming'knownas faerialjfogfimay take place. The films arethus lowered quickly As stated, chains H6 and HLm'ake threecomplete trips around theirwfip lo kets or movethrough three complete cyclesforfone revolutionjof cam shaft ,H. The movement of ,rail .90 is synchronized with the movement ofijoars 42 and, so that a holder is delivered or moved in tothe endposition Of each tank just before the arms I63 and IE4 come around topick-up, position in the cycle in which thfi y 'are retarded in I their upward movement. 'I'hey go through ,two cycles or make two round tripswithout being retarded but no holder is lifted iroma tank in these two cycles or trips. By havingall movements controlled from one cam shaft perfect synchronization is secured.

':"Ihe movement of plates I92 to advance the holders inthe magazine to deliver a holder to the pic kupfposition is also synchronized with the movement of chains 5 l8 and H] and thus with the movement ofrail 90. As stated three cams 2M are provided. These icarns are constructed with cam surfaces approximating acylinder for mostof-their extentbut each has .a'highpoint. These cams are set' with the" high points 120 degrees,,apart. ,Each camalso has in its side flange a. depression or opening 214d. of sufficient depth topermit roller 2 l2 to pass laterally. across thelcam. The particular cam 1M which is to operate rollerj2i2'is determined by the position of the crank;23l. When thiscrank "is moved to place pi'ng23z in one.of theholes 233,234 and 23 5 shaft"2;24;is oscillated'as isplate 225D and if the oscillation is to the left as shown in Fig. 10, the plate will move thearm 230by a lug 230a and placetension on spring 221,.thus placing tension on or pulling arm 230 against the portion 223a o f .rnember ,223. Member 223 thus tends to oscillate and move [shaft 220 which is .placed under tension to causepinion 219 to move slide Zliflb and thus. to move lever 20'! with cam roller 2 [2.(As soon as shaft'l'l comes into. position with roller} L2.transverselyaligned with one of therecesses .2 Md which recesses are 120 degrees apart, pinionf2l9 will move said partsand bring roller 212 into alignment withthe next adjacent cam selectedfby leverPZSL. Should ,roller 2l2 move from end cam.2|'4.to another endcam as .when lever 23lis moved from hol 233 to'235 roller.2 l2 will 1 have 'jto move through two oi the recesses 18 2140. The ,roller,2l2 will thus be brought into alignment with the desired-cam 2". It will be likewise seen that if shaft 224 is oscillated to the right as seenjn Fig. .10, that p1ate2 25b-will move the. other arm 23]] .andagain place spring 221 under tensionso that roller2l2 will be moved in the opposite direction. Roller 2!,2 can thus be changed at will to hem alignment withany one ofthe cams} l4 andto beoperated by any one of thecams. -It will be seen.that there may be a delay after lever23l is moved beforeroller 2l2 movesinto alignmentwith the selected cam. This delayjs providedso that more than one holder cannotwbe placed .in position H1 or the pick-up position in one,revolution.of cam shaft II. In other words; plates I 52 can. only be, given one vertical reciprocationin. onevrevolution of cam shaft ll. ,Itwill be seen that asone of the cams 2M rotates when theflhigh point engagesroller 2| 2 lever-.201 will be movedihus moving rod 205 and rocking ibell crank .-lever. 199. This, through rollers '20!) and ,2;03,r. elevates the plates 192. As stated, the cam ,shaft in. one practical embodimerit-of the machine, makes a rotation inone minute. Asthe rail,90.goes through three cycles inoneminute, thepick-uparms l-B3and I64 pass the pick-up point or iposition every 20 seconds. It WiILbe-seen that if;a,holder. carrying a film is in the pick-up position henthe pickwupwarms make the .first of three rcycles, thefilm will be transferred vto. the ,first :tank. on. thefirst trip or eycleof the pick-up arms. ILthe pick-up arms make the firsttripandthere isno holder inthe position ,to be picked -up.,th e arms ,merely move idly. If .a iholdenisfed- .into .the pick-up position beforethe armscome around onthe second trip, then theholder will be picked ,uponthe second trip and transferred to themank. ,It willalsobe seenthat ,thefilmthat was placed in the tank on the second trip .will be in ,thetank 20 seconds less time than .a ,filmwhich might have been picked up onthe first trip of the pick-uparms. Likewisetif there ;is ,no film in position to be pickedupwwhen the arms ,maketheirfirst two trips the arms .will merelymoveidly. If, a film is fed .into the. pick-up PQsition afterthe second trip so thatit-willbe picked up onthe third ,trip and transferred tothe tank this film'will be in the tank .40 secondsjless time. than a film which mishthavebeen transferred .on the firs trip of the pick-up a ms. Thecamsj2l4 are synchronized with the, movement of the pick-up arms so that. when crank'23'l .isinone positionthe holder will be fed by relative movement of plates I and I92 sothat it-will be picked up onthe first trip of the pickruparms. "Whenthe crank ,23l is inits next position the holder willjbe fed-into the pickup position so that it will be picked up'in the second trip of thepick-llp arms and when the crankj23l is in its third pos-itionjtheholder will be, fedintothe pick-up position so thatit will be picked ,up on the :thirdtrip of the pick-up arms. It will,,thus;be seen that the time that the film is in the developing solution,can'be'varied in two ways. It. can',be.vari edby varying the position of member ,l'l2 and itcan be varied by the mechanism controllejdby crank,,arm 23l. By moving the member I12 the holdercarrying'the film can be put into the firsttooth recess, the second tooth recess or ,thethirdtooth recess. Since the bars or rails 14,2 and"4 3 advancejthe film at one minute intervals the timethenlm ;is in the developing solution canfbe varied l; 2 or minutes. A ,finer adjustment. or an adj ustment at smaller intervals can belied by operation of crank23l sothat a variation of twenty second intervals can be had for the period that the film is in the developing solution.

When the holders are properly placed in the magazine or on the rails 42 and 43 they will extend between aligned teeth as shown in Fig. 2. The machine has been particularly designed for processing X-ray films which are now largely used in industry and hospitals. Some institutions develop thousands of films a day. Such X-ray films are usually of large size. It may happen that when a doctor or some other person is anxious to look at the film he will remove the holder and film from the developing tank or one of other tanks during its processing. In replacing the holder it may carelessly be placed so that instead of extending between aligned teeth it will extend between non-aligned teeth or in a diagonal position. A holder so placed will continue to be advanced in a diagonal position until it reaches the end position in a tank. When one end reaches the end position or pick-up position it will be engaged by one of the pi k-up arms IE3 or I64 and lifted. The holder will not be lifted out of the tank however, as it will slip off of the pick-up arms at one end and dropback onto the bars 42 and 43. If one'of the pick-up arms I63 or I64 lifts one end of the holder, this end is lifted while the other end is supported on the toothed rails at the opposite sidef- The holder is thus canted as it islifted or extends in a diagonal direction.

This will continue until the distance of the diagonalis greater than the width of the holder and it will then slip off of the pick-up arm which is liftin one end and will drop back onto the toothed rails below said arm. This action by the pick-uparms merely results in more agitation. The progress of the holder will continue therefore, until it is brought to the end of the tank in which its film is disposed. It cannot be advanced beyond this position as it is blocked by one'of the members i623 or I69 and merely drops back in the same tooth'recess. 'Theiprogress of the holder will continue until both ends of. the holder reach the end positionandthey are then in aligned recesse's, When the holderreaches this position it will be properly picked up by the pick-up arms I63 and IE4. It will thus be seen that the machine will not pick up an improperly placed film holder. Theimproperly placed holder is first brought into proper position and is then lifted and advanced. Since bars 42 and 43 make one advancing movement to three cycles of rail 90 the proper synchronism is maintained. v

The arms IBI' are mounted onthe pivots I62 and can swing freely upwardly. This provision is made 'so that should an operator orother person orsome object get under one of the arms when it is descending it will merely swing up and will not injure the person nor will any damage be done to the object or the machine. The pick-up arms 16.4 also can move upwardly freely and this will prevent anyone getting his'hand or fingers pinched between said arm and thetop of the bars 43 and 45. Said arms I64 would also be moved up by any object getting thereunder, thus preventing damage. fMember 260 is provided to keep aholder from swinging and bringing its film into contact With member I12; 7

The holders with, the films thereon may be placed in any'of the aligned recesses between the teeth on members I90 and I92. It is not necessary that they be placed so as to be'positioned by the loading device. Theus'e of the loading device is thus optional.

From the above description it will be seen that we have provided a machine for processing'fllms' particularly X-ray films, which operates entirely automatically after the films and holders are' placed therein. The film is carried through the: various processing solutions and as above de-- scribed, may be also dried. The film holders can be quickly positioned and loaded into the magazine.

tion fromwhich they are transferred to the 1muid containers. The progression of the holders in the magazine is synchronized with the transfer of the holders to the liquid containers. The

holder as described, is automatically moved s'uccessively through the tanks containing the dif ferent liquids used-for treating thefilm. The progressing rails are simple and are of small transverse dimension. This is a desirable feature. The solutions will get onto the ra ils more or less and with the present structure the railsv will not become clog ed or gummed up with any.

residue from the solutions. Therails ateach side of the tanks are far enough apart to prevent and yet they are sufliciently close :to'operateproperly and form a desirable compact structure. The

progression of the holders is accomplished with a simple vertical movement of one set of rails The machine as above described, comprises means whereby the period thatthe film is inthe developing liquid can bevaried. This period can be varied in comparatively large'intervalsasonemerged in the nexthquid container after having been so lifted and drained. Thvslnmchinev as described, takes care of an improperly placed holder so'that the holders are brought to proper position and they can be lifted and transferred from such properlposition. An improperly positioned holder willnot be lifted to be transferred or advanced to the next liquid container. If more than one holder occupies a recess in the progressing rails only one holder will be moved and progressed. Since the lifting and transferringmeans moves through several cycles to one cycle of the progressing means two or more holders will not be advanced to the last position in any container. As theholder is progressed bythe rails and slides down on the inclined portion of the rail teeth it strikes the vertical portion of the teeth causing a slight jar on the holder and film. This is advantageous as it will jar loose any air bubbles which might have formed on or collected on the surface of the film.

Another desirable feature of the machine is that all ofthe operating parts and parts requiring lubrication are disposed at the rear of the ma: chine and at the rear of the liquid receptacles.

, There is no chance therefore, of any lubricating Said holders are automatically progressed in the magazine and move to the pick-upposiauoeguoe the films on the rails I and the' liftingand transferring of the films from one receptacle to another are all controlled from cams-secured to one cam shaft. This meansthat all of these operations can be positively and definitely synchronized. Since all parts are controlled fromthe one cam shaft there is no danger ofthe'parts getting out of synchronized operationin the use of the machine.

As'abovedescribedthe overhanging arms for lifting the films and the-rear arms for lifting the films; can move'upward easily-so that no damage or injury will result-should'an objector person be in the path of these arms as theydescend.

The provision of thesmall trough at thefront of thcmachine Whichis formed on the bottom or supportingplateinsures that no liquid will collect on thisplate and .be retained and become stagnant.

Itwill also be obvious that the machine is quite compact and considering the-functions performed occupies a comparatively small space. Theadjust'ment controls are disposed in a very convenient location for use by the operator and these are 'easily manipulated. The device has been amply demonstrated inactual practice and found to be very successful; and eflicient.

'It will of courseybeunderstood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which generallystated, consists in a device capable (ii-carrying outthe objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations o'f parts disclosed and defined in the appendedyclaims.

What is claimed'is:

1. Afilmtreating machine having in combination, aplurality of aligned liquid containers, a pair of members extending along the sides respectively of said containers, 'each having transversely aligned upwardly extending projections at itheir top sides, a-second'pair of members extending along the'sides respectively of said containers, alsohaving transversely aligned upward- 1y extending projections at theirtopsides, afilmcarrying ho-lderextending between said pairs of members carrying a film disposed in one of said containers, said'holder being supported bysaid members in the'recesses between said projections, saidprojections having downwardly inclined sides along which said holderwill move by gravity, said inclined sides in said pairs of members being longitudinally offset and means for'periodically relatively moving said pairs of members rectilinearly vertically to-alternately lift said holder so that it is alternately supported by the members of said pairs and slides forwardly longitudinally on said inclined sides and isthus progressed.

2.Thestructuresetforthin claim 1, and means for additionally moving one of said pairs of members'between the'operations of said means to :reciprocate said 4 holder rectilinearly vertically for agitating the film carried thereby and disposed in one of said containers.

'3. The structureset'forth in claim '1, the projections on said pairs of members havin-gsubstantially vertical sides atthe ends of said-inclined sides, said holders striking and being stopped by said vertical sides on one pair of said members after-slidingdown the inclined sides of said. other pair of said members.

"4. A film treatin machine having in combination, a plurality oftaligned liquid containers, a pairrof members extending along the sides 'respectivelysof said containers each having transversely aligned upwardly .projectingtteeth at: their: topsides, a second :pair of membersexterrding:

along the. sides respectively of said pairxof @memw here also having upwardly extending substantially pointed teeth, the: top surface of said-teeth on all of said memberssslopingdownwardly toward one end of said memberaa film-carrying holderextending between said vpairsl and adapted to be'supportedin recesses betweensaid teeth,

said teeth being offset on'saidipairs.longitudinally a distance slightly greater than the transverse dimension of said :holder wheressaidholder engages said members and means for relatively said bars :having upwardlyprojecting :teeth con their upper edges, each having a downwardlydm clined edge, theteeth in each pairofibarszbeing oiiset longitudinally from the teethcin thezother barof said pair,-said bars being'adaptedtosupport a film carrying holder having a'filmc disposed in said container, said holder extendingbetween said pairs, means .operatingiat fixed times for relatively vertically reciprocating said Zbars of each pair rectilinearly to bring the ,teeth of one bar of each pairabove the teeth on'the other bars of. eachpair to :advance a, holder.

6. The structure setforth-in claim 5.:and means for more rapidly and additionallyreciprocating a pair of said bars a lesser distance-between. said times to agitate said film carried in a holder supported on said bars.

.7. .A film treatingmachine havingiin. combination, a magazine (having a plurality of spaced means for supporting a plurality of holders with films depending therefrom, ;a :loading device .in which film-carryinghol-deris supported movable over saidmeanaasaid loading device being-movable to a discharge position and comprising mechanism for discharging said holder into one of said means of saidmagazine upon reaching said position.

8. A film treating: machine having in combination, a magazine :for.supporting a plurality of film-carrying holders having a:plurality of holder-supportingpositions, a'movable loading device for suitably positioning holders in said magazine and movable over said positions to a .discharge position, a pivoted support. on. said device for a holder, yielding means normally holding said support in operative position, andrmeans for swinging said Support to discharge a holder when said device reaches ,saiddischarge position.

9. A film'treatingmachine having in combination, a magazine comprising members having-a plurality of means for receiving film-carrying holders, a holder supported on one of said means,

means for moving said members for advancing said holder thereon, a movableloading device for positioning a holder in one. of said first mentioned means of said magazine and means for preventing movement of said device when said second mentioned means is operating to advance said holder.

10. A film treating machine having in combination, a liquid container, means extending along the sides of said container and having a plurality of transversely aligned stations, one of which constitutes a dischargestation; a holder constructed andarranged to extencl'between said stations and be supported therein on'said means and means for lifting and transferring said holder operative to engage said holder only when it is in said discharge position whereby should said holder extend between non-aligned stations it will not be lifted and transferred.

11. A film treating machine having in combination, a plurality of aligned liquid containers, a pair of members extending along the sides respectively of said containers each having upwardly extending projections at their top sides, said projections being transversely aligned in said members and having downwardly inclined sides, a second pair of members extending along the sides respectively of said containers also having upwardly extending projections at their top sides transversely aligned in said members of said secand pair, said projections having downwardly inclined sides, a holder extending between said pairs .of members carrying a film disposed in one of said containers, said holder being supported by one pair of said members in the recesses between saidprojections, said projections on one of said pairs of members being substantially pointed and longitudinally offset from the projections on said other pair of members a distance greater than the transverse dimension of the portion of said holder supported by said members but less than one and one half times said dimension and means for vertically reciprocating rectilinearly one of said pairs of members to bring the projections thereon above and below the projection on the other of said pair of members whereby said reciprocated members will lift onl one holder if two holders are disposed in the recesses between said projections,

12. A film treating machine having in combination, a magazine for supporting a plurality of him carrying holders and having a series of holder-supporting positions for supporting holders side by side, a loading device movable over said positions having a supporting means for carrying a film-carrying holder, a contact means connected to said supporting means, an abutment positioned adjacent one of said positions to be engaged by said contact means, said supporting means being arranged upon engagement of said contact means with said abutment to be moved to discharge said holder.

13. A film treating machine having in combination, a magazine from which film holders are fed to a processing machine comprising means for supporting film holders and having a plurality of spaced positions in which film holders are disposed side by side, a loading device adapted to carry a holder movable from one end of said means over said positions to discharge a holder into any one of said positions, said loading device having a discharge mechanism operated by movement of said device for discharging a holder into one of said positions and contact means on said device for operating said discharge mechanism.

14. A film treating machine having in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain a film treating solution, means for supporting in a certain position, a film holder to be picked up and transferred to said receptacle means for removing said holder from said position and delivering it to said receptacle, said means being successively movable past said position at fixed intervals for so removing a holder, and mean for delivering a holder to said position at differ-- ent times relatively to said intervals so that it as said portion moves along the other,

will be picked up in different movements of said second mentioned means. l 135. Aifilmftreating machine having incom bination,---a plurality of containers disposedend to end, members extending along the sides of said containers having transversely aligned means for supporting ends of holders carryingfilms disposed in said containers, means including a rotating shaft for relatively moving said members to advance said holders stepby step through said containers, means for-lifting said holders from the end-of onecontainer, moving them and lowering them intothe adjacent end of thelad joining container operated from saidshaft,- 2. magazine at one end of said containers having spaced pairs of membersadapted to receive and support the ends of said holders carryingfilms and means operated from said shaft for-relatively moving said last mentioned members to advance holders step by step in said magazine and delivera holder tosaid first mentioned members. c

16. The structure set forth in claim 15,-said second mentioned means including endless members running over rotating members and having substantially vertical side portions and means operated from said-shaft for accelerating said endless members as a portion thereof'moves along one of said sides and decelerating the same of said sides. 7 l

17. A film treating machine having in combination, a container adapted to contain film treating solution, stationary members at each side of said container having transversely aligned teeth with downwardly inclined top portions; said bars being adapted to support between said teeth I the ends of a film holder from which afilm de the teeth of said movable bars will be raised above said stationary barsand when said movable bars descend below said stationary bars said holder will be deposited on the inclined tops of the teeth of said stationary bars and will slide 2 down the same so that said holder is intermittently progressed.

18. The structure set forth inclaim' 17, a magazine for holding a plurality of film holders and having spaced stationary bars with transversely aligned teeth and downwardly inclined top portions and adapted to support a film holder between said teeth, spaced movable bars having teeth with downwardly inclined tops and adapted to support a film holder between said teeth, the teeth on said movable bars being ofisetlongltudinally from the teeth on said stationary bars:

and means for vertically reciprocating said movable bars rectilinearly to bring the teeth thereon above and between the teeth on said last mentioned stationary bars operatedfrom said first mentioned means whereby said first-mentioned movable members and said bars of said magazine are operated in 'synchronism. n

19-. A film treating machine having in coinbination, a container adapted to contain afllm 

